Fulham have taken Martin on a loan deal with a view to a permanent signing.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic says Chris Martin will not be returning to Derby County in the January transfer window despite calls from Rams fans for his loan to be cancelled, Fulhamfc.com report.
The Scotland international topped Derby’s scoring charts for the past three seasons, yet was surprisingly allowed to leave the club on loan at the end of the recent summer transfer window.
Ex-boss Nigel Pearson clearly had different views on the striker, yet the return of Steve McClaren as manager has prompted calls for Martin’s return in January from a number of Derby supporters.
The Rams seemingly have the option to re-call him in January if all parties agreed, but Fulham boss Jokanovic has put an end to such a thought by suggesting Martin will 100% remain at Craven Cottage.
“He is going to stay with us this season, 100 per cent,” Jokanovic told Fulhamfc.com. “Our intention at the beginning was to sign him permanently. Why we didn’t I can’t go too deep into.
“We believe he’s going to be an important player for us. I’m not so interested in what the Derby fans are thinking – let’s ask the Fulham fans what they believe is better for us!
“I believe it’s better for us that he is with us all of the season. The situation is not going to change.”
Martin did not have the best of starts at Fulham, yet his superb performances of late and two goals against Norwich City in midweek have certainly won over a number of supporters.
The talented centre-forward has all the attributes to succeed in the Championship, and under McClaren especially he was without doubt one of the best strikers outside the Premier League.
Derby allowed Martin to leave and subsequently brought in Matej Vydra from Watford for a club-record fee.
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